Abstract: A multicylinder, double acting improved mud pump is disclosed. The preferred embodiment incorporates a hydraulic powered piston in a cylinder which connects with a piston rod which, in turn, drives a second piston in a cylinder adapted to pump fluid mud. The first piston is driven by hydraulic oil delivered under pressure to intake manifolds through an independently driven valving apparatus which times the delivery of the hydraulic fluid for the main power stroke and further times the discharge of the hydraulic fluid for the return secondary power stroke, the system being controlled independently of piston action in timing of multiple pistons in multiple cylinders by the valve system. Additionally an intake valve delivers fluid mud at lower pressure on the intake side of the mud compression piston, and an outlet valve transverses with the piston rod to direct the outlet mud flow.

Abstract: A means to transmit recorded data through a fluid medium is disclosed. The preferred embodiment incorporates a positive displacement fluid pump having constant pressure pumping means connected to pump fluid through a drill string for drilling oil wells. A variable orifice means is located down hole in the drill string which changes orifice diameter responsive to sensed data. The pumped fluid is displaced by a pumping piston driven by a second piston powered by constant pressure hydraulic fluid. The pumped fluid is held at a constant pressure so that a change in orifice diameter will change the volume of the flow through the orifice and likewise change the volume of flow of the hydraulic drive fluid. The flow rate of the hydraulic drive fluid is thus gauged to thereby record the orifice diameter change and in turn receive signals transmitted by the change in orifice diameter.

Abstract: For use in a measuring while drilling (MWD) apparatus, a variable drilling fluid flow orifice including circular valve seat and valve element in the fashion of a plug is disclosed. The plug is positioned on a stem which connects with a piston in a chamber, the chamber divided into two portions. Pressure is applied on both sides of the piston to provide a pressure balance. Moreover, the flow to the chamber is determined by a pump connected with a first valve means. The first valve means has two outlet lines which connect through first and second feed lines to the piston and chamber. The pump is isolated within a housing surrounded by an annular fluid flow path for drilling fluid. In the housing, a sealed chamber is included for hydraulic fluid for operation of the pump, and the first valve means is controlled by an electrical solenoid connected with a valve stem for moving valve elements of the first valve means to control fluid flow and thereby move the plug in the circular valve seat.

Abstract: A multicylinder, improved mud pump is disclosed, the preferred embodiment incorporating a hydraulically powered piston in a cylinder which connects with a piston rod which, in turn, drives a second piston in a cylinder adapted to pump mud. The first piston is driven by fluid from a rotary distribution valve, with the distribution valve being driven independently from the movement of the piston; also, the piston can be driven on its return stroke by entrapped fluid routed from a second cylinder, or the piston can be driven on its return stroke by fluid routed from the valve. Additinally novel valving means is disclosed for the rotary distribution valve and novel hydraulic drive circuitry is disclosed, also novel mud pumping valve and piston arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: Improved mud pump comprised of plural cylinder pumping units, each cylinder unit consisting of a pumping compression chamber and two or more hydraulic driven expansion chambers, with one or more expansion chambers being employed to drive a pumping plunger to cause fluid to be pumped through the compression chamber, also one or more of said expansion chambers being employed to return the plunger; the plunger further being employed as the housing for one or more of the said expansion chambers. The invention includes novel hydraulic drive circuitry and novel hydraulic distribution valving means for control of the hydraulic drive fluid that is utilized to drive the expansion chamber of each cylinder pumping unit. The invention also includes novel positioning means for the unidirectional inlet and outlet mud pumping valves.

Abstract: A multicylinder, hydraulic driven, dual arranged mud pump is disclosed. The preferred embodiment consist of dual mud pumping units arranged to be selectively operated as individual pumps, as two pumps whose output flow is in parallel, or as two pumps whose output flow is in series. Each mud pumping unit is comprised of plural pumping assemblies with each assembly consisting of a pair of separate end to end cylinders, one cylinder being arranged to be driven by a second cylinder with the one cylinder further being arranged to pump mud and the second cylinder being arranged to be reciprocally driven in a sequential manner by pressurized hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A multicylinder, double acting improved mud pump is disclosed, the preferred embodiment incorporates a hydraulic powered piston in a cylinder which connects with a piston rod which, in turn, drives a second piston in a cylinder adopted to pump fluid mud. The first piston is driven by hydraulic oil delivered under pressure to intake manifolds through an independently driven valving apparatus which times the delivery of the hydraulic fluid for the main power stroke and further times the discharge of the hydraulic fluid for the return secondary power stroke, the system being controlled independently of piston action in timing of multiple pistons in multiple cylinders by the valve system. Additionally an intake valve delivers fluid mud at lower pressure on the intake side of the mud compression piston, and an outlet valve traverses with the piston rod to direct the outlet mud flow.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor for use in a drill string is disclosed. The motor incorporates a closed hydraulic system having a piston exposed to variations in mud flow pressure. The piston reciprocates and by its movement pumps hydraulic fluid in a closed hydraulic circuit. A motor is driven. The motor is supported on a hollow drive shaft. The drive shaft extends through the tool. It is hollow to permit mud flow to continue to the drill bit attached therebelow. The motor is attached to the exterior and rotates the shaft. The hydraulic fluid from the motor is returned to a reservoir and flows in a closed circuit from it. All of the equipment is in a closed elongate housing threading into the drill string.

Abstract: Pipe handling apparatus for pipe laying barges, sometime called lay barges, wherein pipe is lifted from an incoming pipe conveyor to a transverse rack, from one rack position to another, and from the rack to the pipe line-up conveyors, by a series of pivotal lifting means which lift, move, and deposit the pipe without impact or shock, whereby the pipe and any concrete or other coating on the pipe is not damaged. In addition to the novel pipe transferring means, the invention presents a novel universally adjustable line-up conveyor apparatus.

Abstract: Pipe handling apparatus for pipe laying barges, sometime called lay barges, wherein pipe is lifted from an incoming pipe conveyor to a transverse rack, from one rack position to another, and from the rack to the pipe line-up conveyors, by a series of pivotal lifting means which lift, move, and deposit the pipe without impact or shock, whereby the pipe and any concrete or other coating on the pipe is not damaged. In addition to the novel pipe transferring means, the invention presents a novel universally adjustable line-up conveyor apparatus.

Abstract: Pipe handling apparatus for pipe laying barges, sometime called lay barges, wherein pipe is lifted from an incoming pipe conveyor to a transverse rack, from one rack position to another, and from the rack to the pipe line-up conveyors, by a series of pivotal lifting means which lift, move, and deposit the pipe without impact or shock, whereby the pipe and any concrete or other coating on the pipe is not damaged. In addition to the novel pipe transferring means, the invention presents a novel universally adjustable line-up conveyor apparatus.

Abstract: Pipe handling apparatus for pipe laying barges, sometime called lay barges, wherein pipe is lifted from an incoming pipe conveyor to a transverse rack, from one rack position to another, and from the rack to the pipe line-up conveyors, by a series of pivotal lifting means which lift, move, and deposit the pipe without impact or shock, whereby the pipe and any concrete or other coating on the pipe is not damaged. In addition to the novel pipe transferring means, the invention presents a novel universally adjustable line-up conveyor apparatus.

Abstract: System for laying pipe, wherein elongate flat sheets of metal are formed and welded to form pipe and wherein the pipe may be discharged for laying in a vertical direction or in a horizontal direction, or in any angular direction therebetween. The apparatus is mounted on a support vehicle or structure capable of traveling over water or land from which the pipe is discharged for laying.

Abstract: Pipe handling apparatus for pipe laying barges, sometimes called lay barges, wherein pipe is lifted from an incoming pipe conveyor to a transverse rack, from one rack position to another, and from the rack to the pipe line-up conveyors, by a series of pivotal lifting means which lift, move, and deposit the pipe without impact or shock, whereby the pipe and any concrete or other coating on the pipe is not damaged. In addition to the novel pipe transferring means, the invention presents a novel universally adjustable line-up conveyor apparatus.